A New Hope - GAA 2020

[elguapo4]

Mayo really are a horrible shower of cheating fuckers, or ruthless and cynical as the RTE commentator described them

[Diable Rouge]

All-Ireland Camogie Final: Kilkenny v Galway

A repeat of last year's decider, which the Tribeswomen won at the death, and while they were put to the pins of their collars to defeat Tipperary, Kilkenny were relatively comfortable victors over Cork. Difficult to call, but the champions may ultimately prevail by the minimum.

Joe McDonagh Cup Final: Kerry v Antrim

For the first time since 1891, the Kingdom take to the field on All-Ireland hurling final day, and the prize for the victor is massive, namely direct admission to the 2021 Leinster round-robin. Between League and Championship, the sides have met three times already, with Antrim prevailing on each occasion, and while Croke Park may suit Shane Conway, "the Messi of hurling", the Ulster side will most likely triumph once more.

All-Ireland Hurling Final: Limerick v Waterford

Strangely, it's the first time since 1997 that the two Munster finalists have renewed rivalries in the national decider, and on that occasion, the provincial result was ultimately confirmed, though Clare did struggle against Tipp that year. This could be regarded as Limerick's "Silver Age", if the Golden Years were the Mick Mackey era of the Thirties and Forties, and their panel depth is unrivalled at present. Liam Cahill has undoubtedly over-achieved in getting the Deise to the showpiece of the sport, and while organisation will not be lacking, they may have to bend the knee to superior sporting talent tomorrow.

[elguapo4]

Limerick well in control so far, 0.09 to 0.04 after 24 minutes. Waterford's cause not helped by losing influential centre back Tadhg De Burca to injury early on.

[elguapo4]

Limerick lead 0.14 to 0.11 at half time, still all to play for.

[elguapo4]

Limerick pull away and now lead 0.24 to 0.16 with 20 minutes to go.

[Diable Rouge]

Waterford never really got into the game - were too reliant on Shane Bennett's frees, whereas all Limerick's players were lively from general play, especially Gearoid Hegarty, who will surely get both MOTM and POTY. That's two All-Irelands, Munsters and National Leagues each for the All-Ireland champions over the last three seasons.

[Diable Rouge]

All-Ireland Football Final: Dublin v Mayo

As mentioned in the Christmas thread, it is a rather bizarre feeling sitting down to the showpiece of the Irish sporting calendar when you've just finished doing your Christmas tree, and vaccine allowing, one that'll never be repeated. Still, as with the hurling decider, the absence of any crowd in Croke Park will be palpable, though perhaps more beneficial to Mayo than the Dubs, given the fanatical pressure from the fans of the Heather County. Ultimately, however, Dublin's meticulous ball retention and scoring accuracy should prove decisive, perhaps by a double-digit margin, given the huge tallies coughed up by the Mayo defence, so for the sixth successive year, it looks like it'll be a Blue Christmas.

All-Ireland Womens' Football Final: Cork v Dublin

In a normal year, this would be the best-attended womens' sporting decider in Europe, attracting crowds of over 51,000 to Jones's Road, with TG4 having put major resources into the promotion of the game. As for tomorrow's encounter, Cork are still largely living in the shadow of their legendary squad that won 11 titles out of 12 between 2005 and 2016, with many of their squad yet to pick up their first Celtic Cross, while the Dubs are going for four in a row, and are now the seasoned veterans. While the Dubs have never blown teams away in finals, they should have enough experience to edge yet another decider.

[elguapo4]

Fuck me, that was quick.

[elguapo4]

Dublin score a goal after 16 seconds then Mayo get three points to equalise after 3 minutes.

[elguapo4]

First water break level 1.03 to 0.06 points. Dublin ahead by three points twice so far, and Mayo have pulled them back level both times.

[Diable Rouge]

Fuck me, that was quick.

AFAIK, it's now the fastest-ever goal in a final, with Garry McMahon (son of the playwright Bryan McMahon) having scored for Kerry against Roscommon in 1962 after 30 seconds.

[elguapo4]

Dublin lead by two at ht 2.06 to 0.10, but a black card sin bin right on ht means Dublin will play the first 10 minutes of the second half with 14 players.

[Diable Rouge]

After battling gamely for the first half an hour, Mayo appear to be dropping off slightly now, with the Dubs beginning to take advantage.

[Diable Rouge]

Still hope for Mayo, only trailing by the minimum at the water break, but can they push on?

[elguapo4]

Dublin make it 6 in a row, 5 points the final margin 2.14 to 0.15. Mayo played well up to 50 minutes but all that effort chasing down players gets to you, and the Dubs picked up the points that were needed.

I'm sure Colm O' Rourke is ranting about breaking up Dublin into two, three or four parts, but this side could go for ten. Kerry look like the only side who can stop them short term, and I'm sure they're planning already. Hopefully, we'll have a full season next year.

[Ek weet nie]

Seven out of eight now. When will Clifford save GAA?

[Diable Rouge]

The GAA have released details on how the (still fanless) 2021 season will operate - the league will begin in late February, with all four divisions regionalised, so Division One South will feature Kerry, Dublin, Galway and Roscommon, while Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh and Monaghan shall compete in Division One North. Three group games will be followed by semi-finals and finals, with the Championship starting in April, and the All-Ireland finals happening in July. The qualifiers will return to the schedule, as will the proposed Tailteann Cup, AKA, the B Championship. County championships and All-Ireland club tournaments would then be completed before Christmas.